{"id":3563,"date":"2019-01-14T01:03:58","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T01:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/betcentral.onpressidium.com\/?p=3563"},"modified":"2023-02-28T09:25:48","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T07:25:48","slug":"ranking-the-contenders-for-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/machibet777-app.com\/news\/ranking-the-contenders-for-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"RANKING THE CONTENDERS FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
17 December 2018, by: Leonard Solms<\/h6>\n
<\/p>\n
RANKING THE CONTENDERS FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE \n<\/span><\/h1>\n
<\/p>\n
Monday saw the draws for the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League finalised. Here are our tips on the teams to watch in the Champions League. \n<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Juve have consistently challenged for Europe\u2019s most coveted prize in recent seasons, coming up short in the 2014\/15 and 2016\/17 finals. The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid appears to have given them the edge needed to topple Los Blancos, who have won the last three tournaments. However, the Old Lady will face a tricky last 16 tie against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid.<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
PSG made a superstar signing of their own last year in Neymar, but Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 has stolen the show so far this season. Thomas Tuchel\u2019s charges are unbeaten in Ligue 1, and after topping the Champions League group of death over Liverpool, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade, can count themselves relatively fortunate to have drawn out-of-form Manchester United in the last 16.<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
After dominating the Premier League last season, all Pep Guardiola has to do in order to cement his status as the greatest manager of his generation is lead Manchester City to European glory. Having already won two Champions League titles while in charge of Barcelona, he will have a plan to improve on last season\u2019s quarter-final exit. Few squads, if any, can match City\u2019s depth, and they have been handed a favourable last 16 tie against Schalke 04.<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
As Liverpool fans love to remind their Manchester United counterparts, they are England\u2019s most successful club in European competitions, with five previous wins in this tournament. Last season, they came agonisingly close to a sixth, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in a controversy-filled final. J\u00fcrgen Klopp, whose Borussia Dortmund side lost the 2012\/13 final to Bayern Munich, will be plotting revenge on them in the last 16.<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Real Madrid have dominated the Champions League in recent seasons, but Barcelona look the more stable of Spain\u2019s two giants in 2018\/19. With Lionel Messi on top form and a seemingly straightforward last 16 draw against Olympique Lyon, it would take a brave punter to bet against Ernesto Valverde\u2019s side.<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
DARK HORSES<\/strong>: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund<\/h4>\n